The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas under Secretary Michael Dino initiated with the Central Command and the 1901st Philippine Army Infantry Brigade (Ready Reserve) headed by Colonel Erik Miguel Espina the “Duterte: Malasakit Serbisyo Caravan” in simultaneous charity and outreach activities in the Visayas.
The civilian, military and stakeholders’ partnership was in observance of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s recent natal day to extend public service and give back to marginalized sectors in the Visayas region.
In one location where the “Duterte Malasakit” was welcomed and highly appreciated was in Pinamungahan, Cebu, with Mayor Glenn Baricuatro witnessing the whole-day free services rendered: medical consultation, blood pressure checking by the Philippine Nurses Association (Cebu Chapter), Aster Reroma-Davis pharmacy medicines, dental attention, mini-surgeries with “Operation Tuli,” Cebu Metro Psychiatry Inc., optical service with reading glasses, mass feeding, haircut, physical therapy, legal counseling, spiritual guidance, children’s storybook readings, parlor games and assorted biscuits, civil registry advice with the Philippine Statistics Agency, Land Transportation Office consultation and info drive, seminars on livestock raising, dialog on Federalism, anti-drugs; veterinary care and free vegetable seeds and animal donation for income generation with Unifeeds. The beneficiaries of the outreach activities totaled 1,350.
1901st Brigade Commander Colonel Erik Espina stated, much of the credit goes to the nameless individuals, sponsors, civilian stakeholders etc. like Minglanilla Volunteers Foundation, GV Hotels, Young Lawyers Association, Carcar Volunteers for Duterte, Alagad Bisaya, Dept. of Health, including the Joint AFP & Reservists units who willingly shared their time, talent, pockets, and networking, sans salary & allowances, to support the “Duterte Malasakit: Serbisyo Caravan.” To them, the credit and salute is given.